Not since the time of VE Day in 1945 has there been such an outpouring of unity and celebration. The success of Team GB, exceeding all expectations after a faltering start, has brought these islands together in a common purpose of which we generally feel ourselves to be incapable. This has unleashed a sense of national pride and shared identity of which we have little experience in the post empire years. Put another way, we have surprised the world with a side of ourselves which we had forgotten we had. To make it even better it has nothing to do with war.
Throughout the lives of even those in their seventies, national success in sport has been an experience rarely enjoyed. One Football World Cup and one Rugby World Cup, a few Ashes and some Olympic Gold medals, although until Beijing there were hardly any of those. Of disappointments, humiliations and failures there have been a multitude too large and painful to recall.
London 2012 began the way we thought we liked it best. A shambles at G4S, predictions that most visitors would spend their entire Olympics stuck on the underground and a wacky take on who we think we are at the opening ceremony which left many from overseas charmed but bemused. The certain golds we were expecting in the early days did not happen. By the dawn of day four we lay at around twenty in the medals table. Oh dear! But then we could cope; we were used to it. What a pity it was not in our nature to do better.
Or was it?
Then something began to happen. The entire nation was mobilised. Inspired by the flame passing close to every community in the land no matter how far flung, spectators, numbered sometimes in millions, appeared at every Olympic location cheering their hearts out and waving union flags (yes union), national reserve abandoned. Team GB found itself on the receiving end of energy and encouragement beyond anything it had imagined. Suddenly the message found its mark. This was not about taking part. This was about winning. And to win, giving of your best was not enough, as all competitors give of their best. To win you have to go through the best barrier to a hyper mode beyond it, to reach out above all you thought you were and absorb the combined energy of all who will you on.
We know the rest. There were still disappointments and not all found their form, but Great Britain has put on an Olympic spectacular which ranks with the finest ever staged and Team GB have taken on the world and won, beating all but two of the superpowers and holding the third to our lead in gold. We cannot know for sure how all of it has changed our country or whether the benefit will last, but we can be sure that few events in our history have given as great a boost to our self confidence, national pride and shared identity. When Team GB enters the stadium for the closing ceremony they will be greeted by an unprecedented roar of acclamation. Gone will be the stiff upper lips. Smiles will shine through a cascade of joyful tears. The noise will be stupendous. Team GB will deserve every decibel.